Abstract: There is provided a thermal sensing fiber grid, including a plurality of rows and columns of thermal sensing fibers, each of which includes a semiconducting element that has a fiber length and that is characterized by a bandgap energy corresponding to a selected operational temperature range of the fiber in which there can be produced a change in thermally-excited electronic charge carrier population in the semiconducting element in response to a temperature change in the selected temperature range. There is included at least one pair of conducting electrodes in contact with the semiconducting element along the fiber length, and an insulator along the fiber length. An electronic circuit is provided for and connected to each thermal sensing fiber for producing an indication of thermal sensing fiber grid coordinates of a change in ambient temperature.

Abstract: Hydrogen-producing fuel processing assemblies and fuel cell systems with at least one temperature-responsive valve assembly, and methods for feedback regulation of the hydrogen-producing region. The temperature-responsive valve assembly responds automatically to the temperature of a gas stream of interest to regulate the flow of a subject gas stream therethrough. In some embodiments, these streams are the same streams, while in others, they are different streams. The streams may include at least the reformate stream from a hydrogen-producing region of the fuel processing assembly, the byproduct stream from a purification region, and the product gas stream from the purification region. In some embodiments, the subject gas stream may be the byproduct stream, which is in fluid communication for delivery as a combustible fuel stream for a burner or other heating assembly that produces an exhaust stream to heat the hydrogen-producing region of the fuel processing assembly.

Abstract: A tongue (200, 400) for an inflatable belt restraint system, the tongue comprising: a narrow cylindrical hollow tube (204a, 204b) comprising a first formed member and a second formed member joined together along respective mating edges of the first and second formed members and two mating portions (202a and 202b) forming the looped portion of the tongue.

Abstract: Detecting defects in deployed systems, in one aspect, identify one or more monitoring agents used in a computer program. Total execution metric of the computer program and execution metric associated with the one or more monitoring agents are measured and the measure execution metric is compared with a specified overhead criteria. The execution of the one or more monitoring agents is adjusted based on the comparing step while the computer program is executing to meet the specified overhead criteria.

Abstract: A programming language support for debugging heap related errors includes one or more queries for determining one or more global properties associated with use of the area by the program. The one or more queries may be executed in parallel or concurrently and dynamically utilize available number of cores.

Abstract: An inflatable member is inflated by compressed gas that flows through the latch and hollow tubular tongue of a seat belt anchor. The inflatable member is retained in an uninflated condition in a split two layer belt. The latch is pivotally secured to a conduit that receives compressed inflation gas from a cylinder that is provided with a diffuser.

Abstract: A method for evaluating software performance includes steps of: receiving a plurality of versions of code; selecting starting and stopping points for timing execution of the code versions; dispatching at least two of the plurality of code versions for execution; repeatedly executing the at least two code versions; recording execution times for the at least two code versions, according to the selected starting and stopping points; collecting the execution times; and processing the collected execution times. The method further includes steps of: performing a statistical analysis of the collected execution times for determining which code version is fastest; and invoking a confidence metric periodically to determine if a difference between means is statistically meaningful.

Abstract: There is provided a thermal sensing fiber grid, including a plurality of rows and columns of thermal sensing fibers, each of which includes a semiconducting element that has a fiber length and that is characterized by a bandgap energy corresponding to a selected operational temperature range of the fiber in which there can be produced a change in thermally-excited electronic charge carrier population in the semiconducting element in response to a temperature change in the selected temperature range. There is included at least one pair of conducting electrodes in contact with the semiconducting element along the fiber length, and an insulator along the fiber length. An electronic circuit is provided for and connected to each thermal sensing fiber for producing an indication of thermal sensing fiber grid coordinates of a change in ambient temperature.

Abstract: A device for dispensing items comprises a cabinet having an interior for storing items. A dispenser frame is coupled to the cabinet and is configured to be accessed, such as by pulling the dispenser frame from the cabinet. The dispenser frame includes a plurality of dividers that are configured to hold the plurality of dispensing mechanisms that each hold multiple items within the storage area. Further, the dividers are reconfigurable to permit the arrangement of the dispensing mechanisms to be adjusted. A lockable door is coupled to the front of the cabinet in front of the dispenser frame. The door may be opened to provide access to the interior of the cabinet and to the dispenser frame. A dispense drawer is positioned below the storage area so that items dispensed from the dispensing mechanisms.

Abstract: There is provided a feedback-controlled self-heat-monitoring fiber, including an insulator having a fiber length with at least one metal-semiconductor-metal thermal sensing element along the fiber length and disposed at a position in a cross section of the fiber for sensing changes in fiber temperature. An electronic circuit is connected to the thermal sensing element for indicating changes in fiber temperature. A controller is connected for controlling optical transmission through an optical transmission element, that is disposed along the fiber length, in response to indications of changes in fiber temperature.

Abstract: A plug-in rechargeable flashlight that may be inserted into a conventional cigarette lighter or battery power source receptacle found in an automobile, airplane, boat or other vehicle. The flashlight has light emitting diodes as the primary light source located on the end of the flashlight which is insertable into the power receptacle concealing the light source. When the flashlight is plugged into the receptacle the primary light source is extinguished. The flashlight is further provided with an electrical output connection at the opposite end of the primary light source allowing the flashlight to serve as a replacement socket for the power receptacle consumed by the flashlight. The replacement socket provides an electrical connection for receipt of additional powered accessories, or limited in use to pre-selected items such as a USB port, AC port, backlighting, and so forth.

Abstract: A system, method, and computer readable medium, for automatically improving performance of, and optimizing, a program based on on-line profile data of the program and profile data (302) collected across multiple runs of the program and stored in a persistent off-line repository (114). The method includes executing a program in an execution environment. Profile data (302) is collected for the program across multiple runs thereof. The performance of the program is improved, such as by optimization of the program, based on on-line profile data of the executing program and the collected profile data in the persistent off-line repository.

Abstract: A device for dispensing items comprises a cabinet having an interior for storing items. A dispenser frame is coupled to the cabinet and is configured to be accessed, such as by pulling the dispenser frame from the cabinet. The dispenser frame includes a plurality of dividers that are configured to hold the plurality of dispensing mechanisms that each hold multiple items within the storage area. Further, the dividers are reconfigurable to permit the arrangement of the dispensing mechanisms to be adjusted. A lockable door is coupled to the front of the cabinet in front of the dispenser frame. The door may be opened to provide access to the interior of the cabinet and to the dispenser frame. A dispense drawer is positioned below the storage area so that items dispensed from the dispensing mechanisms.

Abstract: Hydrogen-producing fuel processing assemblies and fuel cell systems with at least one temperature-responsive valve assembly, and methods for feedback regulation of the hydrogen-producing region. The temperature-responsive valve assembly is adapted to automatically respond to the temperature of a gas stream of interest to regulate the flow of a subject gas stream therethrough. In some embodiments, these streams are the same streams, while in others, they are different streams. The streams may include at least the reformate stream from a hydrogen-producing region of the fuel processing assembly, the byproduct stream from a purification region, and the product gas stream from the purification region. In some embodiments, the subject gas stream may be the byproduct stream, which is in fluid communication for delivery as a combustible fuel stream for a burner or other heating assembly that produces a heated exhaust stream to heat the hydrogen-producing region of the fuel processing assembly.

Abstract: A method for providing a stop-off material on a workpiece is provided, as is an associated assembly. A maskant is provided on the workpiece such that a first portion of the workpiece is exposed and a second portion of the workpiece is covered by the maskant. The stop-off is then disposed, with the maskant on the workpiece preventing the stop-off from being applied to the second portion of the workpiece. The maskant is removed from the workpiece leaving the stop-off disposed on a select portion of the workpiece. The removal of the maskant can leave the workpiece substantially free of debris. Thereafter, the workpiece can be further processed, e.g., by diffusion bonding, with the stop-off preventing diffusion bonding of part of the workpiece.

Abstract: An application for a method of heating water includes transferring the water from a water supply into an inner tank of the water heater which is held within an outer tank, transferring the water from the inner tank into an outer tank and then to supply a building with hot water. The water in the outer tank is heated with hot gasses, partially cooling to intermediate temperature gasses. The water in the inner tank is heated with the intermediate temperature gasses, further cooling the intermediate temperature gasses into cooler gasses that are then exhausted out of the water heater.

Abstract: A USB mini plug for use independently or in combination with a plug-in rechargeable flashlight. The USB mini plug may be inserted into a conventional cigarette lighter or battery power source receptacle found in an automobile, truck, airplane, boat or other vehicle. The flashlight has light emitting diodes as the primary light source located on the end of the flashlight which is insertable into the power receptacle concealing the light source. When the flashlight is plugged into the receptacle the primary light source is extinguished. The flashlight is further provided with an electrical output connection at the opposite end of the primary light source allowing the flashlight to serve as a replacement socket for the power receptacle consumed by the flashlight. The replacement socket provides an electrical connection for receipt of additional powered accessories, or limited in use to pre-selected items such as the USB mini port.

Abstract: An application for a method of heating water includes burning fuel to produce hot gases and heating a first mass of water with a first heat exchanger coupled to the hot gases. Heat remaining after the hot gases pass through the first heat exchanger is used by a second heat exchanger to heat a second mass of water. The first mass of water is partially isolated from the second mass of water and the first mass of water is contained substantially within the second mass of water. The second mass of water is colder than the first mass of water and, thereby, condenses more water vapor out of the hot gases.

Abstract: A device for dispensing items comprises a cabinet having an interior for storing items. A dispenser frame is coupled to the cabinet and is configured to be accessed, such as by pulling the dispenser frame from the cabinet. The dispenser frame includes a plurality of dividers that are configured to hold the plurality of dispensing mechanisms that each hold multiple items within the storage area. Further, the dividers are reconfigurable to permit the arrangement of the dispensing mechanisms to be adjusted. A lockable door is coupled to the front of the cabinet in front of the dispenser frame. The door may be opened to provide access to the interior of the cabinet and to the dispenser frame. A dispense drawer is positioned below the storage area so that items dispensed from the dispensing mechanisms.

Abstract: There is provided a thermal sensing fiber including a semiconducting element having a fiber length and characterized by a bandgap energy corresponding to a selected operational temperature range for the fiber in which there can be produced a change in thermally-excited electronic charge carrier population in the semiconducting element in response to a temperature change in the selected temperature range. At least one pair of conducting electrodes is provided in contact with the semiconducting element along the fiber length, and an insulator is provided along the fiber length.